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NAVALAKHA MAHAL – A PROFILE

Navalakha Mahal is situated in the heart of a blooming rose garden(Gulab Bag) which was originally laid out in the nineteenth century in the historical city of Udaipur also known as the “City of Lakes”.

This Navalakha Mahal carries in its bosom the hallowed memories of Maharishi Dayanand, a remarkable sage and reformer who brought the light of Vedic learning to the Indians who in the nineteenth century were groping in darkness and ignorance. A profound scholar of Vedas and scriptures and a perfect Yogi, Maharishi Dayanand sacrificed his very being on the alter of humanity.

Maharishi Davanand who arrived in Udaipur on 10 August1882 on the invitation of His Highness Maharana Sajjan Singh, the 72nd ruler of the Kingdom of Mewar, remained here for almost six and a half months and stayed in Navalakha Mahal.

In this sacred Navalakha Mahal Maharishi Dayanand completed the writing of his best work, the immortal Satyarth Prakash. This Satyarth Prakash was his code of conduct for human life. He wrote it for the well being of mankind and also for transmitting divine knowledge to the common man. For this reason, this Mahal had a hallowed place in the history of the Indian Renaissance of the 19th century and deserves to be named as Satyarth Prakash Bhavan.

Satyarth Prakash

Teachings, derived from the divine knowledge of the Vedas are epitomized in a simple and logical style in the immortal work entitled Satyarth Prakash which was completed by Maharishi Dayanand in this Navalakha Palace. The work addresses itself to all personal, family, social, national and spiritual problems of human life and offers solutions for them. The saint drew it up as a code of conduct for the well-being of individuals. It came out to be a popular, epochal and enduring work and easily became a source inspiration to many freedom fighters and revolutionaries. More than two million copies of this illustrious book have been sold and it has been translated into 23 languages of India and abroad.

The Mahal

At one time, it was the principal guest house of Maharana Sajjan Singh of Mewar. Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati was accommodated in this Mahal by his royal host. However over the years, it fell into neglect and could not withstand the ravages of time. Once its main gate too crumbled down due to rains. The Trust got the main gate built, with a domed pavilion above, both in line with the original architecture style of Navlalakha Mahal and named this gate as a Swami Tattvabodh Dwar.

Mapping Dayanand Travels

Maharishi Dayanand undertook long and strenuous journeys across the country. After leaving home, he spent 14 years (1846-60), wandering in the quest of knowledge, dependable teachers and Yogis. This quest ended when he found his Guru for three years (1860-63) to get initiated in the study of Vedas.

After this, he again set out on his unending journey to radiate the light of Vedic learning among the masses and rid them of their darkness and ignorance. This he did for good twenty years(1863-83) till his nirvana.

Despite the rather primitive means of transportation in his day, these travels covering thousands of kilometers speak of Swamiji’s devotion to truth and humanity. A map, depicting his travels throughout the country is displayed near the entrance of the Mahal.

The Interior of the Mahal

Like the entrance gate. The interior of the Mahal too was worn out and in a poor state. The Trust undertook to renovate it at a huge cost. Now this Satyarth Prakash Bhawan, with its lush green lawns, is a delight to the eye.

Hundreds of guests and devotees flock to this historical and hallowed place to have a glimpse of it. For the convenience of these visitors, many room and conveniences have been built.

The Vedic Bookshop

As a source of inspiration to hundreds of visitors to the memorial, an ‘Aarsh Literature Sales Center’ has also been set up, close to the entrance of the Mahal. From here, one can get the Vedic literature, other publications which elevate the spiritual, national, social and family life of individuals and cassettes of devotional songs (Bhajan). Literature of the estimated value of Rs. 35 lakhs has been sold through this Centre in the last 12 years.

The Office

This is the chamber from where the President of the Trust, esteemed (Late) Swami Tattvabodh Saraswati launched his challenging venture of transforming the edifice from nothing worth the name to an institution of trans-national fame. It is not just a room. It is not an office. It is where one can hear the heart throb of Satyarth Prakash Bhawan. After the sad demise of Swami Tattvabodh Ji, this chamber is still the centre of all activities of the nyas.

The Inner Courtyard

This spacious chowk (courtyard) is a unique example of the architecture of the historical Navalakha Mahal. There are nine arched doors on the three sides of the courtyard. The name of the building is perhaps due to these nine doors. The verandahs on the three sides of the chowk have been renovated and given a new look. On the walls of this chowk are displayed the useful teachings of Satyarth Prakash inscribed on wooden panels. Above on the walls, are the hymns of the Vedas with their Hindi translations. Inside the verandahs are the boards exhibiting the tenets of the religion of the Vedas. A Vedic scholar is at hand to guide the innumerable visitors who flock to this memorial every day.

Library and Reading Room

A room in the side of the courtyard houses a Vedic Library and Reading Room. The Library specializes in books on the Vedic lore. Satyarth Prakash is very much in this library with all its translations in 23 languages. Plans are afoot to further enrich the library A conspicuous feature of this library is a permanent exhibition of current Vedic literature for which revolving glass showcases have been installed in the verandahs, displaying Satyarth Prakash and significant works related to the Vedas. Reading Room provides a rich collection of Aryan magazines and periodicals brought out from India and abroad.

Here Satyarth Prakash Was Written

In the flank of the right hand verandah is the holiest of the holies, the chamber in which Maharishi Dayauand sat regularly to write his immortal Satyarth Prakash.

Musical Fountains

It is in the inner chowk of the Mahal that the ruler and the citizens of the Kingdom of Mewar had the taste of the eloquence of Maharishi Dayanand who delivered his discourses on religious and spiritual topics every day for almost six and a half months.

To perpetuate the memory of this leading light of Indian renaissance, musical fountains have been installed in this courtyard at the cost of Rs. 5 Lakh. Watching these fountains is rare feast to the eye. Water springs forth from the fountain-heads and appears to dance in colures on tunes of the songs eulogizing the great Rishi.

Yajnashala

Yajna and Yajnashala have a pivotal place in the culture of the Aryans. This gorgeous Yajnashala and its Yajnavedi have been built under the supervision of Vedic scholars and are strictly in accordance with the Aryan traditions.

Up to 500 devotees can be seated at one time. In this colorful Yajnashala, Vedic hymns on the glory of the Yajna together with their Hindi translations are painted on the wall surrounding the Yajnashalal.

This Yajnashalal is in use for holding morning and evening Yajnas every day. Large scale Yajnas, accompanied by chanting of the hymns of different Vedas and Vedkatha are held this Yajnashala.

Sadhana Kutir

Determined to build up the historical Navalakha Mahal as an international memorial and propagate the ideology of the Vedas far and wide, Shri Hanuman Prasad Choudhary wound up his flourishing business and mundane life. To him, this was the best way to devote the rest of his life, on full time basis, to his avowed objective. In this process, he had to abandon hid residential house which was disposed off. Donating Rs. One Crore to the Trust, this illustrious devotee of Dayanand has taken up residence in the Sadhana Kutir, situated in the premises of Navalakha Mahal.

Mata Leelavanti Vedic Sanskriti prashikshan Kendra

With the aim of creating a beutiful space in Navlakha Mahal an airconditioned hall has been built for various purposes like Yog Prashikshan, various cmpetetions,summer camps etc. with the help of Rs.30 lakhs donated by Karmayogi Mahashaya Dharma Pal Ji, Delhi.